There are many kinds of mothers described in the Bible - Eve, the mother of all; Sarah, who birthed Israel; Bathsheba, who advocated for her son Solomon; Hagar who sacrificed for Ishmael, Hannah, who believed and gave Samuel to God; and, of course, Elizabeth and Mary.
Hosea uses the imagery of a ferocious mother bear to describe God. In fact, God uses several pictures we normally associate with mothers to describe Himself.
God shows us His comfort. “For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:12-13
God reveals His compassion and constant care. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15
We stress the Fatherhood of God, and rightly so as He prominently uses this picture. But, He clearly uses images of motherhood on occasion as well. God is genderless, but we are made in the image of God - male and female. Genesis 1:27
Sometimes, through the brokenness of our world, mothers don’t protect, don’t nurture, don’t comfort, don’t teach. But God never fails.
Listen again to His promise: “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted”
God is faithful to fulfill His promise. Sometimes the nurture and care is from the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. But sometimes He uses His body, the church. And because we are in the image of God, whether we are earthly mothers or not, we too can provide a mother’s care to a hurting world.
